Tag Archives: Shadows

Darkness and fog surrounded me as I tied my shoes and started my morning walk. The sky began to lighten, but darkness still reigned the early morning hour. I walked alone, lost in my thoughts until I noticed my shadow. (Cue fairy dust music.) Long and lean, it stretched before me encouraging me to keep moving. As I watched my shadow, the thoughts that ran through my head were far different than a few months ago. Back then, my shadow would’ve mocked me – even if it stretched out long and lean, my eyes would not accept it that way. What changed my perception? One New Thing.

Participating in One New Thing has shifted my way of thinking. Instead of living in a state of “I wish,” I live in a state of “I am.”

I wish I were losing weight became I AM losing weight.

I wish I felt better became I AM feeling better.

I wish I didn’t suffer from food allergies became I AM doing all I can.

I wish I had time to cook healthy meals became I AM cooking healthy meals.

I wish I didn’t rely on coffee to wake up became I AM waking up alert.

I wish I spent more time in the Word became I AM spending daily time with God.

I wish my family ate healthy became I AM feeding my children healthy food.

I wish I felt like exercising became I AM exercising, even if I don’t feel like it.

It didn’t start overnight.

I did One New Thing at a time. I knew I needed to change so my health would change. Waking up and starting everything at once is hard. Probably impossible. In some warped way, I didn’t think I deserved to be skinny and fit. The fact is, you can’t be skinny and fit if you eat junk and sit around. So, I guess you can say, I didn’t deserve it. That sounds harsh, but if you don’t desire it, you won’t work for it. If you don’t work for it, you don’t deserve it.

If a man is lazy, the rafters sag;
if his hands are idle, the house leaks. (Ecclesiastes 10: 18)

Before I even realized it, and without even trying, my thinking changed. I see my shadow as long and lean and I accept it. Why? The answer is easy! I am actively doing good things for myself.

Anyone who guards what he says guards his life.
But anyone who speaks without thinking will be destroyed.

People who refuse to work want things and get nothing.
But the longings of people who work hard are completely satisfied.

Those who do right hate what is false.
But those who do wrong bring shame and dishonor. (Proverbs 13:3-5)

When you actively take care of yourself, you can’t help but think YOU DESERVE IT.